While most of us are used to slathering on the sunscreen to protect ourselves from the rays, did you know that you can boost your sun protection from the inside out? It’s true! While you shouldn’t skip the natural sunscreen you apply topically, things like tea, vitamins and even chocolate can create an additional internal safeguard from the sun.

Dark Chocolate
Studies have shown that dark chocolate contains antioxidants and flavonoids that help protect skin from sunburn and skin cancer. The key is to get a very dark chocolate—at least 70% cocoa content—to get the most benefit.

Vitamin E, A and C
Many people don’t realize they can help protect themselves from the sun by taking vitamin supplements. However, combining vitamins C and E helps prevent sunburn and makes the negative effects of the sun less severe.  Also, vitamin A is great tool to help heal skin from sun damage. The important part is to purchase high-quality vitamins that feature targeted nutrients that your body can easily absorb and utilize.

Teas

Green and black teas also offer sun protection benefits. In fact, as far back as 1991 researchers have demonstrated that feeding green tea extract to mice helps protect them from ultraviolet light-induced skin cancers. Also, a study at the University of Arizona found that drinking iced black tea with citrus peel provided a 42 percent reduction in skin cancer risk.

Sources:

Chocolate sunscreen

Vitamins protect from sun

Tea and the sun